U.S. patent number 10,301,123 [Application Number 16/034,911] was granted by the patent office on 2019-05-28 for transfer device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is ITOH DENKI CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kazuo Itoh, Jun Maekawa, Tatsuhiko Nakamura.
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United States Patent |
10,301,123 |
Itoh , et al. |
May 28, 2019 |
Transfer device
Abstract
A transfer device having: a frame; a main conveyer unit having a
main conveying passage disposed in a fixed planar area; and a sub
conveyer unit having a sub conveying passage disposed in a planar
area identical to the planar area of the main conveying passage and
conveying an object in a direction crossing a conveying direction
of the main conveying passage. A lifting and lowering unit lifts
one of the conveying passages to a position above the other
conveying passage. A regulating unit is provided for allowing
linear upward and downward movement of at least one of the conveyer
units. The regulating unit is a plate body or a linear body that
bends and/or tilts. A bending direction or a tilting direction is
aligned with an upward and downward movement direction of the main
conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit.
Inventors: |
Itoh; Kazuo (Kasai,
JP), Nakamura; Tatsuhiko (Hyogo, JP),
Maekawa; Jun (Takasago, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ITOH DENKI CO., LTD. |
Kasai-shi, Hyogo |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.
(JP)
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Family
ID: |
54186673 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/034,911 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180319605 A1 |
Nov 8, 2018 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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15113193 |
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10053300 |
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PCT/JP2015/051993 |
Jan 26, 2015 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 28, 2014 [JP] |
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2014-013835 |
Feb 28, 2014 [JP] |
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2014-039735 |
Feb 28, 2014 [JP] |
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2014-039736 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G
13/07 (20130101); B65G 13/10 (20130101); B65G
15/12 (20130101); B65G 47/54 (20130101); B65G
2207/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65G
13/07 (20060101); B65G 13/10 (20060101); B65G
15/12 (20060101); B65G 47/54 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;198/809 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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672607 |
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Mar 1994 |
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JP |
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6115679 |
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Apr 1994 |
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JP |
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2000-168948 |
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Jun 2000 |
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JP |
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2001-225946 |
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Aug 2001 |
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JP |
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2003-112821 |
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Apr 2003 |
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JP |
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2005-280857 |
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Oct 2005 |
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JP |
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2012-051679 |
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Mar 2012 |
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JP |
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2013-230914 |
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Nov 2013 |
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JP |
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Other References
International Search Report, dated Apr. 14, 2015, in International
Patent Application No. PCT/JP2015/051993. cited by applicant .
International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written
Opinion, dated Aug. 2, 2016 in International Patent Application No.
PCT/JP2015/051993. cited by applicant .
Supplementary European Search Report, dated Aug. 24, 2017, in EP 15
74 4073. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Deuble; Mark A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wood, Phillips, Katz, Clark &
Mortimer
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A transfer device comprising: a frame; a main conveyer unit
having a main conveying passage disposed in a fixed planar area and
conveying a conveyed object in a fixed direction; a sub conveyer
unit having a sub conveying passage disposed in a planar area
identical to the planar area of the main conveying passage and
conveying the object in a direction crossing the conveying
direction of the main conveying passage; a lifting and lowering
unit for lifting or lowering at least one of the main conveyer unit
and the sub conveyer unit, the lifting and lowering unit lifting
one of the conveying passages to a position above the other
conveying passage to convey the object in a desired direction; and
a regulating unit provided for allowing linear upward and downward
movement of at least one of the main conveyer unit and the sub
conveyer unit, wherein the regulating unit is a plate body that has
elasticity and bends in a fixed direction, and wherein the
regulating unit is attached between the frame and the main conveyer
unit or the sub conveyer unit in such a posture that a bending
direction is aligned with an upward and downward movement direction
of the main conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit.
2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
the regulating units are provided between the frame and the main
conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit.
3. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein one of the
main conveyer unit and the sub conveyer unit is a roller conveyer
device that includes a plurality of rollers disposed in parallel,
wherein the other conveyer unit is a belt conveyer device including
a plurality of belt conveyers disposed in parallel, wherein the
belts composing the belt conveyer device are disposed between the
rollers constituting the roller conveyer device, and wherein
tension is constantly applied to the belts by a tensioner.
4. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the lifting
and lowering unit comprises a geared motor, and a lifting and
lowering mechanism composed of a combination of a plurality of
parts, and wherein the lifting and lowering mechanism comprises a
pinion gear, a rack, a cam unit that linearly moves by the rack,
and a cam follower provided on the main conveying unit or the sub
conveying unit.
5. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the lifting
and lowering unit comprises a motor, wherein the conveying bodies
of one of the conveying units are rotating bodies composed of
rollers or small rotating body groups coaxially arranged whereas
the conveying bodies of the other conveying unit are narrow
conveyers having a small width, wherein the rotating bodies are
disposed in parallel with a fixed interval whereas the narrow
conveyers are disposed between the rotating bodies and appear from
between the rotating bodies, and wherein a position of a part or
the whole of the motor in the height direction is higher than a
height of a lowermost end of the rotating bodies, and higher than a
height of a lower end of a rotational track or traveling track of
the narrow conveyers.
6. A transfer device comprising: a frame; a main conveyer unit
having a main conveying passage disposed in a fixed planar area and
conveying a conveyed object in a fixed direction; a sub conveyer
unit having a sub conveying passage disposed in a planar area
identical to the planar area of the main conveying passage and
conveying the object in a direction crossing the conveying
direction of the main conveying passage; a lifting and lowering
unit for lifting or lowering at least one of the main conveyer unit
and the sub conveyer unit, the lifting and lowering unit lifting
one of the conveying passages to a position above the other
conveying passage to convey the object in a desired direction; and
a regulating unit provided for allowing linear upward and downward
movement of at least one of the main conveyer unit and the sub
conveyer unit, wherein the regulating unit is a plate body that is
not easily twisted and that is configured to change a posture of
the regulating unit into a tilted posture, a flat surface of the
regulating unit extending substantially in parallel with the fixed
planar area, and wherein the regulating unit is attached between
the frame and the main conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit in
such a posture that a tilting direction is aligned with an upward
and downward movement direction of the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit.
7. The transfer device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of
the regulating units are provided between the frame and the main
conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit.
8. The transfer device according to claim 6, wherein one of the
main conveyer unit and the sub conveyer unit is a roller conveyer
device that includes a plurality of rollers disposed in parallel,
wherein the other conveyer unit is a belt conveyer device including
a plurality of belt conveyers disposed in parallel, wherein the
belts composing the belt conveyer device are disposed between the
rollers constituting the roller conveyer device, and wherein
tension is constantly applied to the belts by a tensioner.
9. The transfer device according to claim 6, wherein the lifting
and lowering unit comprises a geared motor, and a lifting and
lowering mechanism composed of a combination of a plurality of
parts, and wherein the lifting and lowering mechanism comprises a
pinion gear, a rack, a cam unit that linearly moves by the rack,
and a cam follower provided on the main conveying unit or the sub
conveying unit.
10. The transfer device according to claim 6, wherein the lifting
and lowering unit comprises a motor, wherein the conveying bodies
of one of the conveying units are rotating bodies composed of
rollers or small rotating body groups coaxially arranged whereas
the conveying bodies of the other conveying unit are narrow
conveyers having a small width, wherein the rotating bodies are
disposed in parallel with a fixed interval whereas the narrow
conveyers are disposed between the rotating bodies and appear from
between the rotating bodies, and wherein a position of a part or
the whole of the motor in the height direction is higher than a
height of a lowermost end of the rotating bodies, and higher than a
height of a lower end of a rotational track or traveling track of
the narrow conveyers.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a transfer device constituting a
part of a conveyer line, and more particularly to a transfer device
capable of switching a conveying direction of an object to be
conveyed to a direction crossing the conveying direction.
BACKGROUND ART
An object to be handled in a product assembly line or delivered in
an conveyed object delivery site is often conveyed on a conveyer
line. In a delivery site, for example, a large number of conveyer
lines are equipped lengthwise and crosswise. A transfer device is
disposed at each of the cross points of the conveyer lines. The
transfer device has a function of transferring an conveyed object
from an original conveyer line (main conveyer line) to a different
conveyer line (sub conveyer line) for transfer of the conveyed
object to a desired position.
The transfer device includes two conveyer units for conveying an
conveyed object, and a lifting and lowering unit for changing a
height position of the conveyer units to perform the foregoing
function. Each of the two conveyer units includes a conveying
passage on which an object is placed and conveyed. The conveying
directions of the conveying passages of the two conveyer units
differ from each other. According to this transfer device, relative
heights of the two conveying passages are switchable by using the
foregoing lifting and lowering unit.
The lifting and lowering unit of the transfer device of this type
retracts a top surface of the conveying passage of the conveyer
unit not contributing to conveyance to a position below a conveying
surface of the conveyer line, and lifts a top surface of the
conveyer unit contributing to conveyance to the conveying surface
side of the conveyer line to expose this surface. In this
condition, the conveyer unit lifted to the conveying surface side
operates (travels) to allow smooth conveyance without obstruction
by the conveying unit not contributing to conveyance.
The transfer device further includes a regulating unit which allows
upward and downward movement of each of the two conveyer units in a
straight line.
In general, the regulating unit is a linear guide constituted by an
erect pin or shaft, and a bearing member which slides the pin by
engagement therewith.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology of the
transfer device of this type.
In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a multistage conveyer
system which conveys objects on multiple conveyer devices
overlapped with each other in the up-down direction.
PRIOR DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
Patent Document 1: JP-2012-51679-A Patent Document 2:
JP-2001-225946-A
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
There is a problem arising from the conventional transfer device
and desired to be solved, in the point that the overall height of
the transfer device is higher than heights of other parts of the
conveyer line.
More specifically, the conventional transfer device which
constitutes a part of the conveyer line as described above has a
great overall height, and therefore increases the height of the
entire conveyer line. In this case, the overall height of the
conveyer line equipped with the transfer device is determined based
on the height at the portion of the transfer device.
When a part of the conveyer line (main conveyance part) other than
the transfer device is constituted by a roller conveyer, for
example, the height of the main part of the conventional conveyer
line only has a length slightly larger than the outside diameter of
a roller. When the main conveyance part is constituted by a belt
conveyer, for example, the overall height of the main conveyance
part of the conventional conveyer line only has a length slightly
larger than the outside diameter of each pulley at both ends.
However, the conventional transfer device has a greater overall
height than the height of the conveyer of the main conveyance part.
Accordingly, the conventional transfer device is difficult to
constitute a part of the multistage conveyer system as disclosed in
Patent Document 2.
The present invention has been developed in consideration of the
aforementioned problems arising from the conventional technology.
An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device
having an overall height lower than that of a conventional transfer
device.
Solution to Problem
For achieving the above object, a transfer device in an aspect
includes a main conveying unit having a plurality of main conveying
bodies that rotate or travel in contact with a conveyed object to
convey the object in a fixed direction, a sub conveying unit having
a plurality of sub conveying bodies that rotate or travel in
contact with the conveyed object to carry the object in a direction
crossing the conveying direction of the main conveying unit,
and
a lifting and lowering unit having a lifting and lowering mechanism
for lifting and lowering at least one of the main conveying unit
and the sub conveying unit, and a motor for operating the lifting
and lowering mechanism, the main conveying unit and the sub
conveying unit being disposed in an identical planar area, the
lifting and lowering unit lifting one of the conveying units to a
position above the other conveying unit to convey the object in a
desired direction, wherein a planar position of the motor resides
in a planar area overlapping with the main conveying unit and the
sub conveying unit, and wherein a position of the motor in a height
direction is set such that a part or the whole of the motor is
located above a height of a lower end of a rotational track or a
traveling track of any one of the conveying bodies of any one of
the conveying units in a lowered state.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the planar
position of the motor resides in the planar area overlapping with
the main conveying unit and the sub conveying unit. In this case,
an area occupied by the transfer device decreases. Moreover, the
position of the motor in the height direction is set such that a
part or the whole of the motor is located above the height of the
lower end of the rotational track or the traveling track of any of
the conveying bodies in the lowered state of any one of the
conveying units. This structure considerably decreases the height
of the transfer device, and therefore allows reduction of the
overall height of the transfer device.
In a preferable aspect, the conveying bodies of one of the
conveying units are rotating bodies composed of rollers or small
rotating body groups coaxially arranged whereas the conveying
bodies of the other conveying unit are narrow conveyers having a
small width, the rotating bodies are disposed in parallel with a
fixed interval whereas the narrow conveyers are disposed between
the rotating bodies and appear from between the rotating bodies,
and a position of a part or the whole of the motor in the height
direction is higher than a height of a lowermost end of the
rotating bodies, and higher than a height of a lower end of a
rotational track or traveling track of the narrow conveyers.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the conveying
bodies of one of the conveying units are constituted by rotating
bodies that are rollers or a small rotating body group coaxially
arranged. The other conveying units are narrow conveyers having a
small width. The rotating bodies are disposed in parallel in a
state that a fixed interval is left between each other. The narrow
conveyers are disposed between the rotating bodies and appear from
the clearances between the rotating bodies. Accordingly, when
lifting either the one conveying unit or the other conveying unit,
this structure allows the object to be conveyed in the conveying
direction of the corresponding conveying unit.
Moreover, the position of a part or the whole of the motor in the
height direction is higher than the height of the lowermost end of
the rotating bodies, and higher than the height of the lower end of
the rotational track or traveling track of the narrow conveyers.
Accordingly, the overall height of the transfer device can
decrease.
In a preferable aspect, the lifting and lowering unit includes a
geared motor, a power transmission shaft transmitted rotational
force from the geared motor, a pinion gear attached to the power
transmission shaft, and a rack engaging with the pinion gear, an
output shaft of the geared motor and the power transmission shaft
have a skew positional relationship, the power transmission shaft
is disposed below the output shaft of the geared motor, and the
rack is formed in a downward direction.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the output shaft
of the geared motor and the power transmission shaft have a skew
positional relationship. The power transmission shaft is disposed
below the output shaft of the geared motor. The rack engaging with
the pinion gear is formed in the downward direction. In this case,
the geared motor is located at a height overlapping with the rack.
Accordingly, the overall height of the transfer device of this
aspect decreases.
In a preferable aspect, the conveying bodies of one of the
conveying units are rotating bodies composed of rollers or small
rotating body groups coaxially arranged, the rotating bodies are
disposed in parallel with a fixed interval, and a driving motor
that drives the rotating bodies is disposed in a plane identical to
a plane of the respective rotating bodies.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the conveying
bodies of the conveying unit composed of the rotating bodies, and
the driving motor are disposed in the identical plane. Accordingly,
the overall height of the transfer device can decrease.
In a preferable aspect, one of the main conveying unit and the sub
conveying unit is a roller conveyer device that includes a
plurality of rollers disposed in parallel whereas the other
conveying unit is a belt conveyer device including a plurality of
belts disposed in parallel, the belts composing the belt conveyer
device are disposed between the rollers composing the roller
conveyer device, a traveling track of each of the belts includes a
conveying passage side on which the conveyed object is placed, and
a return side that passes below the conveying passage side, a
narrow part coming close to the conveying passage side is formed in
the return side of at least one of the belts for a predetermined
length in the conveying direction of the conveyed object, and the
motor is disposed at the narrow part.
In a preferable aspect, one of the main conveying unit and the sub
conveying unit is a roller conveyer device that includes a
plurality of rollers disposed in parallel whereas the other
conveying unit is a belt conveyer device including a plurality of
belt conveyers disposed in parallel, the belts composing the belt
conveyer device are disposed between the rollers composing the
roller conveyer device, and the motor is disposed in parallel with
the rollers of the roller conveyer device, and between the
rollers.
In a preferable aspect, at least one of the main conveying unit and
the sub conveying unit includes a regulating unit provided for
allowing linear upward and downward movement, and a frame, the
regulating unit is a plate body or a linear body that bends and/or
tilts, and the regulating unit is attached between the frame and
the main conveying unit or the sub conveying unit in such a posture
that a bending direction or a tilting direction is aligned with an
upward and downward movement direction of the main conveying unit
or the sub conveying unit.
A transfer device in a still further preferable aspect includes a
frame, a main conveyer unit having a main conveying passage
disposed in a fixed planar area and conveying a conveyed object in
a fixed direction, a sub conveyer unit having a sub conveying
passage disposed in a planar area identical to the planar area of
the main conveying passage and conveying the object in a direction
crossing the conveying direction of the main conveying passage, a
lifting and lowering unit for lifting or lowering at least one of
the main conveyer unit and the sub conveyer unit, the lifting and
lowering unit lifting one of the conveying passages to a position
above the other conveying passage to convey the object in a desired
direction; and a regulating unit provided for allowing linear
upward and downward movement of at least one of the main conveyer
unit and the sub conveyer unit, wherein the regulating unit is a
plate body or a linear body that bends and/or tilts, and wherein
the regulating unit is attached between the frame and the main
conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit in such a posture that a
bending direction or a tilting direction is aligned with an upward
and downward movement direction of the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit.
The transfer device in the aspect described above is characterized
by including the regulating unit provided for allowing linear
upward and downward movement of at least one of the main conveyer
unit and the sub conveyer unit, and the frame. The regulating unit
is a plate body or a linear body that bends and/or tilts. The
regulating unit is attached between the frame and the main conveyer
unit or the sub conveyer unit in such a posture that the bending
direction or the tilting direction is aligned with the upward and
downward movement direction of the main conveyer unit or the sub
conveyer unit.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the regulating
unit is composed of a plate body or a linear body that bends and/or
tilts in the fixed direction.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the regulating
unit is attached between the frame and the main conveyer unit or
the sub conveyer unit in such a posture that the bending direction
or the tilting direction is aligned with the upward and downward
movement direction of the main conveyer unit or the sub conveyer
unit.
The regulating unit of the transfer device in this aspect is
constituted by a plate body or a linear body which has an extremely
low height. This structure allows reduction of the overall design
height of the transfer device.
In a preferable aspect, the regulating unit is a plate body that
has elasticity and bends in a fixed direction, and the regulating
unit is attached between the frame and the main conveying unit or
the sub conveying unit in such a posture that a bending direction
is aligned with an upward and downward movement direction of the
main conveying unit or the sub conveying unit.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the regulating
unit is composed of a plate body that has elasticity and bends in
the fixed direction.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, the regulating
unit is attached between the frame and the main conveying unit or
the sub conveying unit in such a posture that the bending direction
is aligned with the upward and downward movement direction of the
main conveying unit or the sub conveying unit.
When the conveying unit of the transfer device in this aspect moves
upward, the regulating unit bends in a downward convex posture, for
example. When the conveying unit moves downward, the regulating
unit bends in an upward convex posture, for example.
The whole shape of the regulating unit having a plate shape bends
in a downward convex posture or an upward convex posture, but does
not easily come into a twisted posture. This structure allows
upward and downward movement of the conveying unit in a straight
line.
Moreover, the regulating unit composed of a plate body has a
considerably low height. This structure therefore reduces the
design overall height of the transfer device.
In a preferable aspect, a plurality of the regulating units are
provided between the frame and the main conveying unit or the sub
conveying unit.
The transfer device of this aspect includes the plurality of
regulating units. This structure further completely prevents
movement of the conveying unit in the planar direction. Moreover,
the regulating units each of which is composed of a plate body as
described above do not considerably affect the overall height even
when the number of the regulating units increases.
In a preferable aspect, one of the main conveying unit and the sub
conveying unit is a roller conveyer device that includes a
plurality of rollers disposed in parallel, the other conveying unit
is a belt conveyer device including a plurality of belt conveyers
disposed in parallel, the belts composing the belt conveyer device
are disposed between the rollers constituting the roller conveyer
device, and tension is constantly applied to the belts by a
tensioner.
According to the transfer device of this aspect, one of the
conveying units is composed of a belt conveyer device that includes
a plurality of belt conveyers disposed in parallel. Tension is
constantly applied to the belts by a tensioner. This structure
reduces looseness of the belts, therefore facilitating
maintenance.
Effect of Invention
According to the transfer device of the present invention, the
planar position of a motor operating a lifting and lowering
mechanism resides in a planar area overlapping with a main
conveying body and a sub conveying body. In addition, the motor and
respective conveying units overlap with each other in the height
direction without interference with each other. Accordingly, the
overall height decreases without increasing an occupancy area of
the transfer device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyer line including a
transfer device according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transfer device according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the transfer device
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the transfer device,
showing only frames of respective conveyer units, and removing
belts and the like of a main conveyer unit and rollers and the like
of a sub conveyer unit from the exploded perspective view in FIG.
3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lifting and lowering mechanism
and a geared motor of the transfer device illustrated in FIG.
2.
FIGS. 6A through 6C are explanatory views showing a relationship
between the respective conveyer units and horizontal movement
members when both the main conveyer unit and the sub conveyer unit
reside at an intermediate height, wherein FIG. 6A illustrates a
state of the main conveyer unit, FIG. 6B illustrates a state of the
sub conveyer unit, and FIG. 6C illustrates a relationship between
cam followers belonging to the respective conveyer units and the
horizontal movement members.
FIGS. 7A through 7C are explanatory views showing a relationship
between the respective conveyer units and the horizontal movement
members when the main conveyer unit and the sub conveyer unit
reside at a lifted position and a lowered position, respectively,
wherein FIG. 7A illustrates a state of the main conveyer unit, FIG.
7B illustrates a state of the sub conveyer unit, and FIG. 7C
illustrates a relationship between the cam followers belonging to
the respective conveyer units and the horizontal movement
members.
FIGS. 8A through 8C are explanatory views showing a relationship
between the respective conveyer units and horizontal movement
members when the main conveyer unit and the sub conveyer unit
reside at a lowered position and a lifted position, respectively,
wherein FIG. 8A illustrates a state of the main conveyer unit, FIG.
8B illustrates a state of the sub conveyer unit, and FIG. 8C
illustrates a relationship between the cam followers belonging to
the respective conveyer units and the horizontal movement
members.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a regulating unit incorporated in
the transfer device illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIGS. 10A through 10C are views of the regulating unit illustrated
in FIG. 9, wherein FIG. 10A is a plan view, FIG. 10B is a front
view, and FIG. 10C is a side view, each view shows the regulating
unit in a natural state.
FIGS. 11A through 11C are views of the regulating unit illustrated
in FIG. 9, wherein FIG. 11A is a plan view, FIG. 11B is a front
view, and FIG. 11C is a side view, each view shows the regulating
unit in a bended and upward convex state by application of external
force to the regulating unit.
FIGS. 12A through 12C are views of the regulating unit illustrated
in FIG. 9, wherein FIG. 11A is a plan view, FIG. 11B is a front
view, and FIG. 11C is a side view, each view shows the regulating
unit in a bended and downward convex state by application of
external force to the regulating unit.
FIGS. 13A through 13C are explanatory views illustrating models of
the main conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit, a main frame, and
the four regulating units to show a relationship between each
other, wherein FIG. 13A is a plan view, FIG. 13B is a
cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit is moving downward, and FIG. 13C is a
cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit is moving upward.
FIGS. 14A through 14C are explanatory views illustrating models of
the main conveyer unit, the sub conveyer unit, the main frame, and
the four regulating units to show a relationship between each
other, wherein FIG. 14A is a plan view, FIG. 14B is a
cross-sectional view in a state that the sub conveyer unit is
moving upward, and that the main conveyer unit is moving downward,
and FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view in a state that the main
conveyer unit is moving upward, and that the sub conveyer unit is
moving downward.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the main conveyer
unit.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a first narrow belt conveyer
corresponding to a component of the main conveyer unit.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second narrow belt conveyer
corresponding to a component of the main conveyer unit.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the second narrow belt conveyer
illustrated in FIG. 17 as viewed at a different angle.
FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the second narrow belt
conveyer illustrated in FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship
between the second narrow belt conveyers, the conveying rollers,
and the geared motor of the transfer device illustrated in FIG.
3.
FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the sub conveyer
unit.
FIGS. 22A through 22C are views of the transfer device illustrated
in FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 22A is a plan view, FIG. 22B is a front
view, and FIG. 22C is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A
in FIG. 22A.
FIG. 23A is a plan view of the transfer device illustrated in FIG.
2, wherein the main conveyer unit and the regulating units
connected to the main conveyer unit are depicted in solid lines,
and other components are depicted by two-dot chain lines. FIG. 23B
is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 23A.
FIG. 24A is a plan view of the transfer device illustrated in FIG.
2, wherein the sub conveyer unit and the regulating units connected
to the sub conveyer unit are depicted in solid lines, and other
components are depicted by two-dot chain lines. FIG. 24B is a
cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 24A.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of one short side wall of a belt side
frame of the main conveyer unit as viewed from the rear surface
side.
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a short side wall of a roller side
frame of the sub conveyer unit as viewed from the rear surface
side.
FIGS. 27A through 27D illustrate a modified example of the
regulating unit, wherein FIG. 27A is a perspective view, FIG. 27B
is a cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or
the sub conveyer unit is in a lowered state, FIG. 27C is a
cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit is in a lifted state, and FIG. 27D is a
transverse sectional view of the regulating unit.
FIGS. 28A through 28D illustrate a modified example of the
regulating unit, wherein FIG. 28A is a perspective view, FIG. 28B
is a cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or
the sub conveyer unit is in a lowered state, FIG. 28C is a
cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit is in a lifted state, and FIG. 28D is a
transverse sectional view of the regulating unit.
FIGS. 29A through 29C are explanatory views showing models of the
main conveyer unit or the sub conveyer unit, the main frame, and a
plurality of linear regulating units to explain a relationship
between each other, wherein FIG. 29A is a plan view, FIG. 29B is a
cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit is in a lowered state, and FIG. 29C is a
cross-sectional view in a state that the main conveyer unit or the
sub conveyer unit is in a lifted state.
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view depicting a concept of a cross
section taken along a line A-A in FIG. 2 to explain a positional
relationship between the geared motor and conveying rollers and
belts.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A transfer device 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is hereinafter further detailed. The transfer device 1 of
this embodiment includes a large number of parts. Each of the parts
has a shape not only complicated but also tangled. For easy
understanding of the invention, the outline and characteristic
configurations of the transfer device are initially described.
After clarifying these, specific configurations of the respective
parts are sequentially explained.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the transfer device 1
according to this embodiment includes a sub conveyer unit (sub
conveying unit) 2, a main conveyer unit (main conveying unit) 3, a
lifting and lowering unit, and a geared motor 5. The transfer
device 1 according to this embodiment further includes regulating
units 72 and 73 for allowing straight and linear upward and
downward movement of the sub conveyer unit 2 and the main conveyer
unit 3.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 21, the sub conveyer unit 2 of the
transfer device 1 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 14, and
a roller side frame 19 for supporting the conveying rollers 14 such
that the conveying rollers 14 are rotatable. As illustrated in FIG.
4, cam followers 27 are provided at four points of a lower portion
of the roller side frame 19. Each of the cam followers 27 is
constituted by a short roller. The sub conveyer unit 2 is a unit
constituted by the roller side frame 19, and the plurality of
conveying rollers 14 and the four cam followers 27 combined with
the roller side frame 19 into one body.
At least one of the plurality of conveying rollers 14 is a driving
roller, while the others are following rollers. Power is
transmitted between the driving roller and the following rollers
via belts. The driving roller is a motor-incorporating roller which
contains a motor and a speed reducer within a roller main body.
The sub conveyer unit 2 includes a conveying passage constituted by
the plurality of conveying rollers 14. An conveyed object 25 (FIG.
1), which is an object to be conveyed, placed on the conveying
passage is conveyed in accordance with rotation of the conveying
rollers 14.
As described above, the driving roller contains the motor for
driving the rollers and the speed reducer inside. Accordingly, the
driving motor for driving the rollers is disposed in the same plane
as the plane of respective rotating bodies (rollers) in this
embodiment.
Movement of the roller side frame 19 in the horizontal direction is
regulated by regulating units 73a through 73d. Reciprocating
movement of the roller side frame 19 is allowed only in the up-down
direction. The regulating units 73a through 73d are further
detailed below.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 15, the main conveyer unit 3 includes
one belt driving roller 80, a plurality of belt following pulleys
81, annular belts 82 and 88 extending between both the rollers, a
belt side frame 18, and a belt conveyer main body 85.
The belt conveyer main body 85 includes three first narrow belt
conveyers 15 (narrow conveyers) each of which has a small width,
and one second narrow belt conveyer 30 (narrow conveyer) which has
a small width. The first narrow belt conveyers 15 and the second
narrow belt conveyer 30 are disposed in four parallel lines as
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 15.
The belt 82 of each of the first narrow belt conveyers 15 has an
annular shape. As illustrated in FIG. 30, each of the belts 82 has
a traveling track constituted by a conveying passage side 82a on
which the conveyed object 25 (FIG. 1) is placed, and a return side
82b passing below the conveying passage side 82a. Similarly, the
belt 88 of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 having an annular
shape has a traveling passage constituted by a conveying passage
side 88a on which the conveyed object 25 (FIG. 1) is placed, and a
return side 88b passing below the conveying passage side 88a.
The conveying passage side 82a and the return side 82b of each of
the first narrow belt conveyers 15 extend in parallel substantially
for the overall length in the conveying direction of the main
conveyer unit 3 for conveying the conveyed object 25. The width of
each of the first narrow belt conveyers 15 is substantially uniform
in the height direction.
On the other hand, a narrow part 90 is formed in the vicinity of
the center of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 (FIG. 17). The
second narrow belt conveyer 30 has a substantially U shape
including a recessed lower portion produced by the narrow part 90.
The return side 88b of the belt 88 of the second narrow belt
conveyer 30 comes close to the conveying passage side 88a in the
area of the narrow part 90 for a predetermined length in the
conveying direction of the main conveyer unit 3 for conveying the
conveyed object 25. Accordingly, the width of the second narrow
belt conveyer 30 in the height direction is smaller in the area of
the narrow part 90 than in other areas. The lower part in the
vicinity of the center of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 is
recessed to constitute the narrow part 90. The narrow part 90 is
located in the vicinity of the center of the second narrow belt
conveyer 30 and extends in the traveling direction of the belt
82.
When the main conveyer unit 3 is positioned in the main frame 12, a
space 78 (FIGS. 20, 22C and 30) is produced between the narrow part
90 of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 and a bottom wall 31 of
the main frame 12. The space 78 is an area sectioned by the narrow
part 90 and the bottom wall 31, and has a larger area in the height
direction than that of an area formed between the bottom wall 31
and portions of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 other than the
narrow part 90, and a space formed between the bottom wall 31 and
each of the first narrow belt conveyers 15.
As illustrated in FIG. 30, the space 78 is formed between the
adjoining conveying rollers 14 of the sub conveyer unit 2 within
the transfer device 1, and extends in parallel with the conveying
rollers 14.
In the plan view, the space 78 and the respective conveying rollers
14 are disposed in parallel with each other. The respective
conveying rollers 14 are lifted and lowered on the side of the
space 78 by a lifting and lowering mechanism 4. Accordingly, the
respective conveying rollers 14 do not enter the space 78.
In the plan view, the second narrow belt conveyer 30 and the
respective first narrow belt conveyers 15 are disposed in parallel
with each other. The respective first narrow belt conveyers 15 are
lifted and lowered on the side of the space 78 by the lifting and
lowering mechanism 4. The belt 82 of each of the first narrow belt
conveyers 15 travels along the traveling track (conveying passage
side 82a and return side 82b) in accordance with the belt driving
roller 80. Accordingly, the respective belts 82 do not enter the
space 78.
The belt 88 of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 travels on the
traveling track (conveying passage side 88a and return side 88b)
along the narrow part 90. The belt 88 passes through both the ends
of the space 78 in the longitudinal direction and above the space
78 in a U shape, while avoiding passage through the space 78.
Accordingly, the belt 88 does not enter the space 78.
The geared motor 5 of the lifting and lowering unit is disposed
within the space 78. The geared motor 5 is attached in a posture in
parallel with the conveying rollers 14 of the sub conveyer units 2
and between the conveying rollers 14.
The height position of the geared motor 5 disposed in the space 78
is determined such that a part or the whole of the geared motor 5
is located higher than the height of a lower end of a rotational
track or traveling track of any one of the conveying bodies
(conveying rollers 14 and belts 82 and 88) when any one of the
conveying units (main conveyer unit 3 and sub conveyer unit 2) is
lowered. Accordingly, the respective heights of the lower ends of
the lowered conveying rollers 14, the height of the lower end of
the belt 82 of the lowered first narrow belt conveyer 15, and the
height of the lower end of the belt 88 of the lowered second narrow
belt conveyer 30 are lower than the highest portion of the space
78.
The geared motor 5 is stored in the space 78 formed inside the
transfer device 1. In this case, the geared motor 5 does not
collide with the main conveyer unit 3 and the sub conveyer unit 2
moving upward and downward.
According to this embodiment, the geared motor 5 and the first
narrow belt conveyers 15 of the main conveyer unit 3 do not overlap
with each other in the plan view. Accordingly, the belts 82 of the
first narrow belts conveyers 15 are lifted and lowered by the
lifting and lowering mechanism 4 on the side of the geared motor 5.
In this case, the height position of the geared motor 5 exceeds the
heights of the lower end portions of the traveling tracks of the
belts 82.
Moreover, the height position of the geared motor 5 exceeds the
height position of the lower end portion of the traveling track of
the belt 88 of the main conveyer unit 3 (second narrow belt
conveyer 30). The lower end portion of the traveling track of the
belt 88 in this context corresponds to a portion of the return side
88b other than the narrow part 90.
In other words, the belt 88 extending between a short roller 67a,
second and third fixing tension pulleys 60b and 60c, and a short
roller 67b is provided along the U-shaped narrow part 90 of a short
roller attachment member 59. More specifically, the belt 88 is
disposed in a position avoiding the geared motor 5 for the entire
length of the geared motor 5 in an area from the front end side
(output shaft side) portion to the rear end side portion of the
geared motor 5 via an area above the geared motor 5.
The planar position of the geared motor 5 resides in a planar area
overlapping with the second narrow belt conveyer 30 (conveying
unit) of the main conveyer unit 3. However, the space 78 formed
between the second narrow belt conveyer 30 and the bottom wall 31
of the main frame 12 accommodates the geared motor 5. The space 78
is formed along the narrow part 90 of the second narrow belt
conveyer 30 as described above. In this case, the height position
of the geared motor 5 exceeds the height position of the lower end
of the return side 88b of the belt 88 (conveying body) passing
through the portion of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 other
than the narrow part 90 in the lowered state. However, the height
position of the geared motor 5 is lower than the height of the
narrow part 90 of the second narrow belt conveyer 30 in the lowered
state, and therefore does not exceed the height position of the
lower end of the return side 88b of the belt 88 (conveying body)
passing through the narrow part 90. Accordingly, the geared motor 5
and the belt 88 (conveying body) do not interfere with each other
even when the main conveyer unit 3 (second narrow belt conveyer 30)
lowers.
Moreover, the planer position of the geared motor 5 resides in an
area overlapping with the sub conveyer unit 2 (conveying unit). In
this case, the height position of the geared motor 5 exceeds the
height positions of the lower ends of the conveying rollers 14
(conveying bodies) of the sub conveyer unit 2 in the lowered state.
The lower ends of the conveying rollers 14 are indicated by a
two-dot chain line in FIG. 22C. As illustrated in FIG. 22C, the
positions of the conveying rollers 14 and the geared motor 5
overlap with each other in the height direction. However, the
position of the geared motor 5 is different from the positions of
the respective conveying rollers 14 (conveying bodies) in the plan
view, and therefore do not interfere with each other.
Discussed in this embodiment is an example of the belt conveyer
main body 85 of the main conveyer unit 3 which includes the three
first narrow belt conveyers 15, and the one second narrow belt
conveyer 30. However, the second narrow belt conveyer 30 may be
eliminated. More specifically, the second narrow belt conveyer 30
may be eliminated to secure a space for accommodating the geared
motor 5 of the lifting and lowering mechanism 4 within the transfer
device 1.
In addition, discussed herein is an example of the main conveyer
unit 3 constituted by a belt conveyer. However, the main conveyer
unit 3 may be a short roller conveyer which includes a plurality of
short rollers arranged in the conveying direction of an conveyed
object for placing the conveyed object thereon.
These techniques allow positioning of the geared motor 5 of the
lifting and lowering unit within the space 78 formed inside the
transfer device 1 without interference with other parts of the
transfer device 1. Accordingly, the overall height of the transfer
device 1 decreases.
Other types of motor may be employed in lieu of the geared motor 5.
The motor is not limited to the geared motor 5, but may be of any
types as long as the motor is rotatable at a low speed, and
equipped with an independent speed reducer.
Cam followers 36 are provided at four points of a lower portion of
the belt side frame 18 on the outside thereof. Each of the cam
followers 36 is constituted by a short roller. The main conveyer
unit 3 is a unit which includes the belt side frame 18, and the
belt driving roller 80, the plurality of belt following pulleys 81,
and the four cam followers 36 combined with the belt side frame 18
into one body.
The belt driving roller 80 is a motor-incorporating roller which
includes a motor (not shown) containing a speed reduction mechanism
inside a rotatable outer cylinder. Accordingly, the outer cylinder
rotates in accordance with driving of the motor.
Movement of the belt side frame 18 in the horizontal direction is
regulated by the regulating units 72a through 72d. The belt side
frame 18 is only allowed to reciprocate in the up-down direction.
The regulating units 72a through 72d are detailed below.
The main conveyer unit 3 includes conveying passages formed by the
belts 82. The conveyed object 25 placed on the conveying passages
is conveyed in accordance with traveling of the annular belts
82.
The conveying passages of the main conveyer unit 3, and the
conveying passages of the sub conveyer unit 2 are disposed in the
same planar area as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 23A, 23B, 24A, and
24B. More specifically, the belts 82 of the main conveyer unit 3
are disposed between the conveying rollers 14 of the sub conveyer
unit 2 such that the two types of conveyer passages are disposed in
the same planar area.
The lifting and lowering unit is hereinafter described. According
to this embodiment, the lifting and lowering unit is constituted by
the lifting and lowering mechanism 4 including a plurality of parts
combined with each other, and the geared motor 5.
More specifically, the lifting and lowering mechanism 4 includes a
gear train 52, a power transmission shaft 39, pinion gears 26,
horizontal movement members 11, the foregoing cam followers 27
belonging to the sub conveyer unit 2, the foregoing cam followers
36 belonging to the main conveyer unit 3, and others.
The power transmission shaft 39 is disposed in a direction crossing
an output shaft of the geared motor 5. The power transmission shaft
39 is located at a skew position with respect to the output shaft
of the geared motor 5. More specifically, the height of the power
transmission shaft 39 is located below the output shaft (not shown)
of the geared motor 5. Both ends of the power transmission shaft 39
come close to the corresponding ends of the transfer device 1. The
pinion gears 26 are attached to the corresponding ends of the power
transmission shaft 39.
The skew position in this context refers to a positional
relationship between two lines not parallel with each other and not
crossing each other.
The power transmission shaft 39 is disposed below and slightly
apart from the respective conveying rollers 14 of the main conveyer
unit 3 and the belts 82 and 88 of the sub conveyer unit 2 within
the transfer device 1. The power transmission shaft 39 crosses the
respective conveying rollers 14 and the belts 82 and 88 at right
angles in the plan view.
The gear train 52 connects the output shaft of the geared motor 5
and an intermediate portion of the power transmission shaft 39
disposed at skew positions as illustrated in FIG. 5. The gear train
52 transmits rotational force of the geared motor 5 to the power
transmission shaft 39. Accordingly, the pinion gears 26 attached to
both the ends of the power transmission shaft 39 rotate in
accordance with rotation of the geared motor 5.
According to this embodiment, the two horizontal movement members
11 are disposed in parallel between the roller side frame 19 and
the belt side frame 18. A rack 9 is formed in the downward
direction in each of the horizontal movement members 11.
Reciprocation of the horizontal movement members 11 is allowed only
in the longitudinal direction.
Each of the foregoing pinion gears 26 engages with the
corresponding rack 9 formed in the downward direction.
As described above, the power transmission shaft 39 is disposed in
a skew position with respect to the output shaft of the geared
motor 5, and below the output shaft (not shown) of the geared motor
5. The pinion gears 26 provided on the power transmission shaft 39
engage with the racks 9 formed in the downward direction. This
layout of the transfer device 1 in the embodiment allows
positioning the geared motor 5 within a space surrounded by the
horizontal movement members 11, thereby succeeding in reducing the
overall height of the transfer device 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6A through 6C, each of the
horizontal movement members 11 is constituted by a translation cam
which includes a long upper surface 11b. The foregoing rack 9 is
provided on the lower side of the center of the upper surface
11b.
Each of the foregoing pinion gears 26 engages with the
corresponding rack 9. The horizontal movement members 11
reciprocate in the horizontal direction in accordance with
transmission of power from the pinion gears 26 performing regular
rotation and reverse rotation. More specifically, the horizontal
movement members 11 reciprocate in accordance with transmission of
power generated by rotation of the foregoing geared motor 5.
As described above, each of the horizontal movement members 11 is
constituted by a translation cam. Cam recesses 28 and 29 are formed
in the upper surface 11b. The cam recesses 28 and 29 are formed on
one and the other sides of the rack 9, respectively. The foregoing
cam followers 27 provided on the roller side frame 19, and the
foregoing cam followers 36 provided on the belt side frame 18
engage with the cam recesses 28 and 29.
More specifically, when the pinion gears 26 rotate with rotation of
the geared motor 5, the upper surface 11b of the horizontal
movement member 11 horizontally moves while rotating the cam
followers 27. When the cam recesses 28 and 29 reach the positions
of the cam followers 27, the cam followers 27 drop inside the cam
recesses 28 and 29 as illustrated in FIGS. 7A through 7C. As a
result, the roller side frame 19 combined with the cam followers 27
lowers, whereby the sub conveyer unit 2 moves downward. On the
other hand, the main conveyer unit 3 remains at the lifted
position.
Similarly, the four cam followers 36 of the belt side frame 18 drop
into the cam recesses 28 and 29 as illustrated in FIGS. 8A through
8C when the horizontal movement member 11 horizontally moves in
accordance with rotation of the geared motor 5 and rotation of the
pinion gears 26. As a result, the belt side frame 18 lowers,
whereby the main conveyer unit 3 moves downward. On the other hand,
the sub conveyer unit 2 remains at the lifted position.
As described above, the pinion gears 26 attached to both the ends
of the power transmission shaft 39 rotate in accordance with
rotation of the geared motor 5. The rotation of the pinion gears 26
moves the horizontal movement members 11. Accordingly, the rotation
of the geared motor 5 allows alternate lifting and lowering of the
main conveyer unit 3 and the sub conveyer unit 2.
The main conveyer unit 3 and the sub conveyer unit 2 of the
transfer device 1 of this embodiment are combined into one unit,
and disposed within the main frame 12.
The main conveyer unit 3 and the main frame 12 are connected only
by the four regulating units 72a through 72d.
Similarly, the sub conveyer unit 2 and the main frame 12 are
connected only by the four regulating units 73a through 73d.
Each of the regulating units 72 and 73 included in the transfer
device 1 of this embodiment is a flat spring. Each of the
regulating units 72 and 73 is produced by punching a thin
plate-shaped spring steel, and is oval-shaped in the plan view as
illustrated in FIGS. 10A through 10C. More specifically, each of
the regulating units 72 and 73 is constituted by an elliptic thin
plate, and has sufficient elasticity to bend in a fixed direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11A through 11C and FIGS. 12A through 12C,
the regulating units 72 and 73 easily bend in the vertical
direction with respect to the flat surface. When bending force is
applied to the flat surface in the vertical direction as indicated
by arrows in FIG. 11B, and in FIG. 12B, the regulating units 72 and
73 easily bend. However, the regulating units 72 and 73 exert high
resistance to force applied in a twisting direction as indicated by
arrows in FIG. 9, and therefore do not easily become twisted.
FIGS. 13A through 13C are explanatory views illustrating models of
the main conveyer unit 3 or the sub conveyer unit 2, the main frame
12, and the four regulating units 72 or 73 to explain a
relationship between these components. In FIG. 13A through 13C, a
rectangular frame A is a model of the main conveyer unit 3 or the
sub conveyer unit 2. On the other hand, a plane B is a model of the
main frame 12.
According to the transfer device 1 of this embodiment, the frame
(main conveyer unit 3 or sub conveyer unit 2) and the plane B are
connected by the four regulating units 72 or 73. More specifically,
one end side of each of the regulating units 72 or 73 is connected
to the frame A (main conveyer unit 3 or sub conveyer unit 2), while
the other end side of each of the regulating units 72 or 73 is
connected to the plane B (main frame 12). Each of the regulating
units 72 and 73 is a plate body fixed to the frame A and the plane
B only by screwing. This structure facilitates assembly of the
transfer device 1.
FIG. 13A illustrates the planar positional relationship between the
regulating units 72 or 73. Each of frame A side connection portions
200 of the regulating units 72 or 73 is connected to the frame A,
while each of plane B side connection portions 201 of the
regulating units 72 or 73 is positioned within a planar area
surrounded by the frame A.
As observed in the plan view of the respective regulating units 72
or 73, a center axial line X-X (FIG. 10A) of each of the regulating
units 72 or 73 is inclined to each side of the frame A (main
conveyer unit 3 or sub conveyer unit 2). In addition, the center
axial lines X-X of the respective regulating units 72 or 73 are
inclined to each other, and not in parallel with each other.
Furthermore, each of the frame A side connection portions 200 of
the regulating units 72 or 73 is disposed in the vicinity of the
corresponding corner of the frame A.
The respective regulating units 72 or 73 are disposed in planar
postures. The flat surfaces of the respective regulating units 72
or 73 are substantially parallel with a virtual plane of the frame
A, and a flat surface constituted by the plane B. More
specifically, lower surfaces of the respective regulating units 72
or 73 face a flat surface constituted by the main frame 12 as the
plane B, while upper surfaces of the respective regulating units 72
or 73 face the virtual plane of the frame A. Each of the regulating
units 72 or 73 is a plate body having elasticity and bending in a
fixed direction, and is attached between the plane B (main frame
12) and the frame A in such a posture that the bending direction of
the regulating units 72 or 73 is aligned with the lifting and
lowering direction of the frame A (main conveyer unit 3 or sub
conveyer unit 2).
As described above, each of the regulating units 72 and 73 is a
flat spring easily bending in the vertical direction with respect
to the flat surface, but does not easily become twisted. The flat
surface of each of the regulating units 72 and 73 is substantially
parallel with the virtual plane of the frame A and the flat surface
constituted by the plane B. Accordingly, when each of the
regulating units 72 and 73 is observed, the frame A side connection
portion 200 of each of the regulating units 72 and 73 moves in a
straight line in the vertical direction with respect to the plane B
by bending of the regulating units 72 and 73. More specifically,
when the frame A is lifted by the cams, the respective regulating
units 72 and 73 bend into a downward convex state to vertically
move the frame A without deviation.
According to this embodiment, the plurality of (four) regulating
units 72 and the plurality of (four) regulating units 73 are
attached between the frame A and the plane B. Accordingly, each of
the A side connection portions 200 of the regulating units 72 and
73 moves in a straight line in the vertical direction with respect
to the plane B.
In this structure, the four regulating units 72 and the four
regulating units 73 are attached between the frame A and the plane
B. Each of the frame A side connection portions 200 of the
regulating units 72 and 73 is located close to the corresponding
corner of the frame A. In addition, each of the regulating units 72
and 73 has properties not easily twisted. In this case, large force
is not required for moving the frame A and the plane B close to and
away from each other in parallel. Furthermore, reaction force
generated between the regulating units 72 and 73 corrects the
positions of the frame A and the plane B into parallel postures
when the positions of the frame A and the plane B come into
inclined positions or twisted positions.
According to this embodiment, therefore, the respective regulating
units 72 and 73 regulate the frame A such that the frame A moves
upward and downward in a straight line with respect to the plane B.
More specifically, the main conveyer unit 3 and the main frame 12
according to this embodiment are connected to each other only by
the four regulating units 72. This structure regulates the main
conveyer unit 3 such that the main conveyer unit 3 moves in a
straight line in the vertical direction with respect to the main
frame 12 by operation of the four regulating units 72. More
specifically, the regulating units 72 regulate movement of the belt
side frame 18 of the main conveyer unit 3 in the horizontal
direction. Only reciprocation of the belt side frame 18 in the
up-down direction is allowed in this condition.
This configuration is applicable to the relationship between the
sub conveyer unit 2 and the main frame 12. The sub conveyer unit 2
and the main frame 12 are connected to each other only by the four
regulating units 73. This structure regulates the sub conveyer unit
2 such that the sub conveyer unit 2 moves in a straight line in the
vertical direction with respect to the main frame 12 by operation
of the four regulating units 73. More specifically, the regulating
units 73 regulate movement of the roller side frame 19 of the sub
conveyer unit 2 in the horizontal direction. Only reciprocation of
the roller side frame 19 in the up-down direction is allowed in
this condition.
As described above, each of the main conveyer unit 3 and the sub
conveyer unit 2 includes the four cam followers 36 or the four cam
followers 27. The four cam followers 36 and the four cam followers
27 are simultaneously lifted and lowered by the horizontal movement
members 11 corresponding to the translation cams. Accordingly, the
four cam followers 36 of the main conveyer unit 3 are
simultaneously lifted and lowered by the horizontal movement
members 11, allowing the main conveyer unit 3 to move upward and
downward while maintaining a horizontal posture.
This configuration is applicable to the sub conveyer unit 2. The
four cam followers 27 of the sub conveyer unit 2 are simultaneously
lifted and lowered by the horizontal movement members 11, allowing
the sub conveyer unit 2 to move upward and downward while
maintaining a horizontal posture.
Each of the regulating units 72 and 73 is constituted by a flat
spring which is extremely thin, and disposed in parallel with the
virtual plane of the main conveyer unit 3 and the virtual plane of
the sub conveyer unit 2. Accordingly, each of the respective
regulating units 72 and 73 has a planar posture and an extremely
small overall height. More specifically, the height of each of the
regulating units 72 and 73 is only produced by the thickness of the
flat spring, and therefore is considerably smaller than a guide of
the conventional technology. Accordingly, the overall height of the
transfer device 1 of this embodiment decreases.
FIGS. 13A through 13C illustrate the frame A as a model of the main
conveyer unit 3 or the sub conveyer unit 2, and the plane B as a
model of the main frame 12 for describing the function of the
regulating units 72 and 73. In an actual situation of the transfer
device 1 of this embodiment, the belt side frame 18 corresponding
to a part of the main conveyer unit 3 is smaller than the roller
side frame 19 corresponding to a part of the sub conveyer unit 2 as
illustrated in FIG. 2, and is contained within the roller side
frame 19. Accordingly, both the frames 18 and 19 are disposed in a
common area in the height direction.
The four regulating units 72a through 72d illustrated in FIG. 15
are attached between the belt side frame 18 and the main frame 12
to guide the belt side frame 18 in the vertical direction. In
addition, the four regulating units 73a through 73d illustrated in
FIG. 21 are attached between the roller side frame 19 and the main
frame 12 to guide the roller side frame 19 in the vertical
direction.
A specific configuration of the transfer device 1 according to this
embodiment is hereinafter described in more detail.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the transfer device 1 of this embodiment
is disposed at a crossing position of the conveying passages of the
conveyer line 21. More specifically, the transfer device 1 is
disposed between an upstream side main conveying line 22 and a
downstream side main conveying line 23 disposed in a line to
constitute a main line 100. A sub conveying line 24 crossing the
main conveying lines 22 and 23 at right angles is connected to the
transfer device 1.
According to this structure, the conveyer line 21 conveys the
conveyed object 25 along the main line 100 (main conveying lines 22
and 23), or changes the conveying direction on the transfer device
1 to convey the conveyed object 25 along a sub line 101 (sub
conveying line 24).
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transfer device 1 includes the main
frame 12 which stores and positions all of the components, the main
conveyer unit 3 which conveys the conveyed object 25 (FIG. 1)
toward the main conveying line 23 (FIG. 1), and the sub conveyer
unit 2 which conveys the conveyed object 25 toward the sub line
101. The transfer device 1 further includes the lifting and
lowering mechanism 4 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
The main frame 12 includes the bottom wall 31, long side walls 32a
and 32b, and short side walls 33a and 33b.
The bottom wall 31 has a rectangular thin plate shape. The long
side walls 32a and 32b are provided on the long end sides of the
bottom wall 31. The short side walls 33a and 33b are provided on
the short end sides of the bottom wall 31. The long side walls 32a
and 32b, and short side walls 33a and 33b are connected to each
other to constitute a frame surrounding all directions. The long
side walls 32a and 32b, and the short side walls 33a and 33b are
fixed to the bottom wall 31 at right angles.
Four guide members 68 extending from the end side to the center
side of the long side walls 32a and 32b are provided on the bottom
wall 31 along the long side walls 32a and 32b. Each of the guide
members 68 is constituted by a bottom board 68a, a guide rail 68b,
and screws 68c.
The bottom board 68a is a substantially rectangular thin plate
component. The guide rail 68b is a plate-shaped component which has
a length equivalent to the length of the bottom board 68a, and a
width smaller than the width of the bottom board 68a. The guide
rail 68b is disposed at the center of the bottom board 68a. Ends of
each of the components 68a and 68b are fixed to the bottom wall 31
by the screws 68c penetrating the components 68a and 68b. The upper
part of the bottom board 68a on both sides of the guide rail 68b
constitutes a rail 69.
The bottom wall 31 includes four cylindrical fixing portions 34a
through 34d, and four cylindrical fixing portions 35a through 35d.
A female screw is formed inside each of the cylindrical fixing
portions. Only the cylindrical fixing portions 35c and 35d are
longer than the others of the eight cylindrical portions.
One end of each of the regulating units 73a through 73d is fixed to
the corresponding one of the four cylindrical fixing portions 34a
through 34d of the main frame 12. The other ends of the regulating
units 73a through 73d are connected to the roller side frame 19 of
the sub conveyer unit 2.
One end of each of the regulating units 72a through 72d is fixed to
the corresponding one of the four cylindrical fixing portions 35a
through 35d of the main frame 12. The other ends of the regulating
units 72a through 72d are connected to the belt side frame 18 of
the main conveyer unit 3.
Accordingly, the respective cylindrical fixing portions 34a through
34d and 35a through 35d are joined to the belt side frame 18 and
the roller side frame 19 (described below) via the regulating units
72a through 72d and 73a through 73d as illustrated in FIGS. 6A
through 6C.
The lifting and lowering mechanism 4 is provided on the bottom wall
31.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lifting and lowering mechanism 4
includes the geared motor 5, the power transmission shaft 39, the
horizontal movement members 11, and others.
A helical gear (not shown) is attached to the output shaft (not
shown) of the geared motor 5. The geared motor 5 is fixed to the
central portion of the bottom wall 31 via fixing members 37a and
37b in such a posture that the output shaft (not shown) faces in
the longitudinal direction of the main frame 12. A gear box 38 is
fixed to the fixing member 37b. The output shaft (not shown) of the
geared motor 5 is stored in the gear box 38.
The power transmission shaft 39 has a length slightly smaller than
the length of the bottom wall 31 in the transverse direction. A
helical gear (not shown) different from the helical gear (not
shown) provided on the geared motor 5 is equipped at an
intermediate position of the power transmission shaft 39. Pinion
gears 26a and 26b are provided at one and the other end of the
power transmission shaft 39, respectively.
The power transmission shaft 39 extends in the transverse direction
of the main frame 12, and resides at the center of the bottom wall
31. Portions around both the ends of the power transmission shaft
39 are supported by bearing members 40a and 40b. The pinion gear
26a is disposed between the two guide members 68 extending along
the long side wall 32a. The pinion gear 26b is disposed between the
two guide members 68 extending along the long side wall 32b.
The power transmission shaft 39 penetrates the gear box 38 in the
direction crossing the output shaft (not shown) of the geared motor
5 at right angles. The not-shown helical gear of the power
transmission shaft 39 is stored in the gear box 38. The helical
gear (not shown) on the geared motor 5 side and the helical gear
(not shown) on the power transmission shaft 39 side directly or
indirectly engage with each other within the gear box 38 to allow
power transmission therebetween.
The power transmission shaft 39 is located below the output shaft
(not shown) of the geared motor 5. The power transmission shaft 39
and the not-shown output shaft of the geared motor 5 are located in
a skew positional relationship.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6A through 6C, each of the
horizontal movement members 11 is a long and substantially
rectangular parallelepiped component. The transverse cross section
of each of the horizontal movement members 11 is substantially
rectangular. Each of the horizontal movement members 11 is disposed
within the main frame 12 in such a posture that the longitudinal
direction of the rectangular shape of the transverse cross section
of the horizontal movement member 11 coincides with the up-down
direction. A recess is formed at the central portion of a lower
surface 11a of each of the horizontal movement members 11. The rack
9 is provided in this recess. Rack teeth 9a are formed in the rack
9 by an appropriate method such as gear cutting. The rack teeth 9a
of the rack 9 are formed in the downward direction.
Four shafts 10 penetrate the side surface of each of the horizontal
movement members 11. Each of the four shafts 10 is provided at
corresponding one of four points of the horizontal movement member
11 in the longitudinal direction. Two each of the shafts 10 are
disposed on one and the other sides of the rack 9, respectively. A
pair of guide short rollers 6 are attached to each of the shafts
10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6C, 7A through 7C, and 8A
through 8C, the upper surface 11b of each of the horizontal
movement members 11 has a plurality of portions having different
heights. More specifically, the upper surface 11b of each of the
horizontal movement members 11 includes a first low portion 8a (cam
recess 28a), a first high portion 7a, a second low portion 8b (cam
recess 28b), a second high portion 7b, a third low portion 8c (cam
recess 29a), a third high portion 7c, and a fourth low portion 8d
(cam recess 29b) in this order from one end. The first low portion
8a and the fourth low portion 8d are disposed at one and the other
end of the horizontal movement member 11, respectively.
The second high portion 7b is disposed at the central portion of
the horizontal movement member 11 in the longitudinal direction,
and constitutes the highest portion of the upper surface 11b. In
this case, the second high portion 7b is formed in the upper
surface 11b at the central portion of the horizontal movement
member 11 in the longitudinal direction, while the rack 9 is formed
in the lower surface 11a below the second high portion 7b.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the guide short rollers 6 are disposed on
the rail 69 of the bottom board 68a of each of the guide members
68. In this case, the pair of guide short rollers 6 provided on one
and the other sides of the guide rail 68b, respectively, are
allowed to reciprocate along the guide rail 68b.
The rack teeth 9a (FIG. 5) of the rack 9 engage with the pinion
gears 26a and 26b fixed to the power transmission shaft 39.
Accordingly, the horizontal movement members 11 move in the
longitudinal direction of the main frame 12 when the geared motor 5
is driven.
FIG. 6C illustrates a state of engagement between the pinion gear
26a (26b) and the central portion of the rack 9 of the horizontal
movement member 11. When the pinion gear 26a rotates
counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 6C, the horizontal movement
member 11 moves leftward as illustrated in FIG. 8C. When the pinion
gear 26a rotates clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6C, the horizontal
movement member 11 moves rightward as illustrated in FIG. 7C.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, the main conveyer unit 3 includes the
belt side frame 18 and the belt conveyer main body 85.
The belt conveyer main body 85 includes the three first narrow belt
conveyers 15 (narrow conveyers) each of which has a small width,
and the one second narrow belt conveyer 30 (narrow conveyer) which
has a small width. The respective belt conveyers 15 and 30 are
disposed in four lines in parallel with each other. The one belt
driving roller 80 is provided as a common driving pulley of the
four lines of the narrow belt conveyers. Accordingly, the one belt
driving roller 80 (motor-incorporating roller) is provided as a
common driving pulley in this embodiment.
Each of the first narrow belt conveyers 15 has a configuration
illustrated in FIG. 16. A plate-shaped short roller attachment
member 16 is provided on one side of the first narrow belt conveyer
15. One belt following pulley 81, two fixing tension pulleys 83,
and a plurality of short rollers 17 are provided on the short
roller attachment member 16.
The belt 82 having a small width extends between the common driving
side pulley (belt driving roller 80) and each of the following
pulleys.
The respective short rollers 17 are disposed within the annular
belt 82 to support a load applied to the belt 82. More
specifically, the belt driving roller 80 is arranged in the
horizontal direction in the same line as the belt following pulley
81, and the plurality of short rollers 17 fixed to the short roller
attachment member 16. Accordingly, the overall height of the main
conveyer unit 3 decreases. The fixing tension pulleys 83 press the
belt 82 from the outside. The short roller attachment member 16 is
a narrow and long plate-shaped component bended in the longitudinal
direction into an L shape.
Moreover, according to this embodiment, an auto-tensioner 87 is
attached to the belt 82. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the
auto-tensioner 87 is attached to the short roller attachment member
16. The auto-tensioner 87 includes a swinging piece 94, a movable
tension pulley 84, and a spring 86.
The short roller attachment member 16 includes a long-hole-shaped
spring storage hole, and a spring fixing hole. The spring fixing
hole is formed at one end of the spring storage hole in the
longitudinal direction. One end of the spring 86 is fixed to the
spring fixing hole of the short roller attachment member 16. A part
of the spring 86 is stored in the spring storage hole.
The swinging piece 94 is rotatably fixed to the short roller
attachment member 16 via a shaft. The movable tension pulley 84 is
provided at the tip of the swinging piece 94. The movable tension
pulley 84 is freely rotatable relative to the swinging piece 94.
The other end of the spring 86 is fixed to a rear end portion of
the swinging piece 94.
More specifically, the spring 86 connects a spring fixing hole 92b
of the short roller attachment member 16 and the rear end portion
of the swinging piece 94. A part of the spring 86 is disposed
within a spring storage hole 92a. The spring 86 is constituted by a
tension spring which pulls the swinging piece 94. The spring 86
gives rotational force to the swinging piece 94 around a shaft 93.
When the swinging piece 94 rotates (swings), the movable tension
pulley 84 fixed to the tip of the swinging piece 94 presses the
belt 82. As a result, appropriate tension is applied to the belt
82.
Accordingly, the auto-tensioner 87 is a component which includes
the movable tension pulley 84 freely rotatable and capable of
moving close to and away from the belt 82.
The short side wall 42b and the short roller attachment member 16
are fixed to each other by screwing. Similarly, the short side wall
42a and the short roller attachment member 16 (first narrow belt
conveyer 15) are fixed to each other by screwing.
The second narrow belt conveyer 30 has a configuration illustrated
in FIGS. 17 through 19. A plate-shaped short roller attachment
member 59 is provide on one side of the second narrow belt conveyer
30. The short roller attachment member 59 includes one belt
following pulley 81, three fixing tension pulleys 60 (first fixing
tension pulley 60a, second fixing tension pulley 60b, and third
fixing tension pulley 60c), a plurality of short rollers 67 (67a
through 67c), and a plurality of small-diameter short rollers 89.
The short roller attachment member 59 includes the belt following
pulley 81, the three fixing tension pulleys 60, the plurality of
short rollers 67, and the plurality of small-diameter short rollers
89 such that these components 81, 60, 67, and 89 are rotatable.
The three fixing tension pulleys 60 (60a through 60c), the
plurality of short rollers 67 (67a through 67c), and the plurality
of small-diameter short rollers 89 are disposed between the common
driving side pulley (belt driving roller 80) and the belt following
pulley 81. The belt 88 having a small width extends between the
common driving pulley and the belt following pulley 81. The short
rollers 67a through 67c and the plurality of small-diameter short
rollers 89 are disposed within the belt 88 to support a load
applied to the belt 88. The respective fixing tension pulleys 60a
through 60c press the belt 88 from the outside to give tension to
the belt 88.
The narrow part 90 having a small length in the height direction is
formed in the short roller attachment member 59. The narrow part 90
is disposed in the vicinity of the center of the lower portion of
the second narrow belt conveyer 30. The narrow part 90 thus formed
produces a U-shape of the second narrow belt conveyer 30. The
plurality of small-diameter short rollers 89 are disposed along the
narrow part 90.
As illustrated in FIG. 18, the annular belt 88 passes through the
upper conveying passage side 88a and the lower return side 88b both
constituting the traveling track. The conveyed object 25 (FIG. 1)
is placed on the belt 88 passing through the conveying passage side
88a, where a load is applied to the belt 88. The respective short
rollers 67 (67a through 67c), and the small-diameter short rollers
89 support the load of the conveyed object 25.
A specific layout of the respective components of the second narrow
belt conveyer 30 is hereinafter described.
The belt driving roller 80 and the belt following pulley 81 are
disposed on one and the other side, respectively. The short roller
67a, the plurality of small-diameter short rollers 89, and the
short rollers 67b and 67c are disposed within the belt 88 in this
order from the belt driving roller 80 side.
The first fixing tension pulley 60a for pressing the belt 88 from
the outside is disposed between the belt driving roller 80 and the
short roller 67a.
The second fixing tension pulley 60b is disposed between the short
roller 67a and the small-diameter short rollers 89. The third
fixing tension pulley 60c is disposed between the small-diameter
short rollers 89 and the short roller 67b. Accordingly, the second
and third fixing tension pulleys 60b and 60c are disposed on one
and the other sides of the plurality of small-diameter short
rollers 89, respectively. When the belt 88 is pressed by the second
and third fixing tension pulleys 60b and 60c as illustrated in FIG.
17, the belt 88 is lifted along the narrow part 90 of the short
roller attachment member 59. As a result, a part of the return side
88b (lower side) of the traveling track of the belt 88 comes close
to the conveying passage side 88a (upper side). The portion of the
belt 88 where the conveying passage side 88a and the return side
88b come close to each other is protected by an upper cover 50a and
a lower cover 50b. The space 78 is formed below the upper cover 50a
and the lower cover 50b.
The auto tensioner 87 is further attached to the second narrow belt
conveyer 30. The auto tensioner 87 has a structure identical to the
structure of the auto tensioner 87 of the first narrow belt
conveyer 15, and therefore is not repeatedly explained herein.
The second narrow belt conveyer 30 is fixed to the belt side frame
18 by screwing similarly to the first narrow belt conveyers 15.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 15, the belt side frame 18 is a
frame-shaped component constituted by two long side walls 41a and
41b, and two short side walls 42a and 42b. The long side walls 41a
and 41b have the same structure except for differences produced by
the left hand wall and the right hand wall. Chiefly discussed
hereinbelow is the long side wall 41a, and the same explanation
concerning the long side wall 41b is not repeated.
The long side wall 41a is a long flat component, and has a flange
shape with the upper side bended at right angles. A protrusion 48a
protruding downward is provided at one end of the long side wall
41a. A protrusion 48b protruding downward is provided in the
vicinity of the end opposite to the end on which the protrusion 48a
of the long side wall 41a is provided. Protrusion lengths of the
protrusions 48a and 48b are substantially equivalent. A roller
fixing hole 43 is formed in the vicinity of the protrusion 48a of
the long side wall 41a.
Follower fixing holes 44a (depicted in long side wall 41b) are
formed at two points of the long side wall 41a. The follower fixing
holes 44a are holes provided for supporting the cam followers 36
such that the cam followers 36 are rotatable. The two cam followers
36 are disposed with a predetermined distance left between each
other in the longitudinal direction of the long side wall 41a. Both
the cam followers 36 are disposed on the outside of the long side
wall 41a. One of the cam followers 36 is provided at the portion
from which the protrusion 48b protrudes.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 15, each of the short side walls 42a
and 42b is a flat component shorter than the long side wall 41a. As
illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 25, respective portions of the short
side wall 42a are bended to produce a lower horizontal portion 45a,
a vertical portion 45b, and an upper horizontal portion 45c.
The lower horizontal portion 45a and the upper horizontal portion
45c are disposed on the sides opposite to each other with the
vertical portion 45b interposed between the respective portions 45a
and 45c. Four protrusions 46a and 46d are formed in the upper
horizontal portion 45c. The respective protrusions 46a through 46d
are disposed in the same plane as the plane of the upper horizontal
portion 45c, and protrude to the side opposite to the vertical
portion 45b.
The respective protrusions 46a through 46d are sequentially
disposed at equal intervals from the end of the upper horizontal
portion 45c. A hole 47 is formed in the vicinity of each end of the
respective protrusions 46a through 46d on the free end side.
As illustrated in FIG. 25, cylindrical fixing portions 70c and 70d
are provided on the lower surface sides of the protrusions 46a and
46d, respectively. The cylindrical fixing portions 70c and 70d are
fixed to the protrusions 46a and 46d by screws penetrating the
holes 47. A female screw is formed in each inside of the
cylindrical fixing portions 70c and 70d. One end of the regulating
unit 72c is fixed to the cylindrical fixing portion 70c, while one
end of the regulating unit 72d is fixed to the cylindrical fixing
portion 70d.
One and the other ends of the short side wall 42a are connected to
the tips of the protrusions 48a of the long side walls 41a and 41b,
respectively. The respective protrusions 46a through 46d of the
short side wall 42a are so disposed as to face the center of the
long side walls 41a and 41b. The lower horizontal portion 45a is
disposed on the end side of the long side walls 41a and 41b.
The short side wall 42b is a narrow and long plate component having
the same length as the length of the short side wall 42a. The first
narrow belt conveyers 15 and the second narrow belt conveyer 30 are
fixed by screwing along the long side of the short side wall
42b.
The frame-shaped belt side frame 18 is constituted by the long side
walls 41a and 41b and the short side walls 42a and 42b having the
foregoing structures. Both ends of the short side wall 42a (lower
horizontal portion 45a) are fixed to the protrusions 48a of the
long side walls 41a and 41b, while both ends of the short side wall
42b are fixed to the tip portions of the protrusions 48b protruding
downward from the long side walls 41a and 41b. Accordingly, a space
66a is formed below the long side walls 41a and 41b.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 15, the cam followers 36 are disposed
on the outside of the frame of the belt side frame 18.
As illustrated in FIG. 21, the sub conveyer unit 2 includes the
roller side frame 19 and a roller conveyer main body 13. The roller
conveyer main body 13 is disposed on the roller side frame 19. At
least one of the plurality of conveying rollers 14 of the roller
conveyer main body 13 is a driving roller, and the other rollers 14
are following rollers as described above. Power is transmitted
between the driving roller and the following rollers via the
belts.
The roller side frame 19 includes two long side walls 51a and 51b,
and two short side walls 52a and 52b. The long side walls 51a and
51b have the same structure except for differences produced by the
left hand wall and the right hand wall. Chiefly discussed
hereinbelow is the long side wall 51a, and the same explanation
concerning the long side wall 51b is not repeated.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 21, the roller side frame 19 is a
frame-shaped component constituted by the long side walls 51a and
51b, and the short side walls 52a and 52b. The roller side frame 19
is slightly larger than the belt side frame 18, and capable of
storing the belt side frame 18 inside.
The long side wall 51a is constituted by a long flat component. The
upper side of the long side wall 51a is bended at right angles to
form a flange shape. Follower fixing holes 54a are formed at two
points of the long side wall 51a. The follower fixing holes 54a are
holes provided for supporting the cam followers 27 (depicted in
long side wall 51b) such that the cam followers 27 are rotatable.
The two cam followers 27 are disposed with a predetermined distance
in the longitudinal direction of the long side wall 51a. Both the
cam followers 27 are located in a portion deviated from the center
of the long side wall 51a.
Each of the short side walls 52a and 52b is a flat component
shorter than the long side wall 51a. The short side wall 52a has a
structure of a flat plate bended into a substantially U shape. As
illustrated in FIG. 26, the short side wall 52a includes a bottom
wall 55a, and vertical walls 55b and 55c. The vertical walls 55b
and 55c rise from one and the other sides of the bottom wall 55a,
respectively. The vertical wall 55c has a larger rising height from
the bottom wall 55a than the corresponding height of the vertical
wall 55b.
As illustrated in FIG. 26, fixing holes 76a and 76b are formed in
the vicinity of one and the other end of the bottom wall 55a in the
longitudinal direction.
Protrusions 56a through 56e protruding upward are provided on an
upper edge portion of the vertical wall 55c. The respective
protrusions 56a through 56e are disposed at predetermined equal
intervals. The second protrusion 56b from the end has a larger
protrusion length than the corresponding lengths of the other
protrusions. The second protrusion 56b is bended at right angles in
a direction away from the bottom portion 55a to produce a
horizontal portion 53, and is further bended at the horizontal
portion 53 to extend in the vertical direction. The heights of the
respective protrusions 56a through 56e are uniform. A hole 57 is
formed in the vicinity of each tip of the protrusions 56a through
56e.
Vertical walls 58 are provided at one and the other end of the
short side wall 52a in the longitudinal direction. The vertical
walls 58 are shorter than the respective protrusions 56a through
56e.
The short side wall 52b is composed of a plate-shaped component
having substantially the same length as the length of the short
side wall 52a. The short side wall 52b is bended in the
longitudinal direction to produce a bottom wall 61a and a vertical
wall 61b. Two fixing holes 62a and 62b are formed in the bottom
wall 61a with a predetermined distance. Notches 65a through 65e are
formed in the upper side of the vertical wall 61b at equal
intervals. The notches 65a through 65e produce protrusions 63a
through 63d protruding upward from the upper side portion of the
vertical wall 61b.
Connection walls 64 continuing from the vertical wall 61b are
provided at one and the other ends of the short side wall 52b,
respectively. Each of the connection walls 64 includes side walls
64a and 64b crossing each other at right angles. The side wall 64a
is connected to the vertical wall 61b at right angles. The width of
the bottom wall 61a is equivalent to the width of the side wall
64a. The side wall 64a is bended with respect to the vertical wall
61b in the same direction as the direction of the bottom wall 61a.
The side wall 64b crosses the side wall 64a at right angles, and
extends to the side where the bottom wall 61a is not present.
The roller side frame 19 is a frame-shaped component which includes
the long side walls 51a and 51b facing each other. One end of the
long side wall 51a and one end of the long side wall 51b are
connected with each other via the short side wall 52a, while the
other end of the long side wall 51a and one end of the long side
wall 51b are connected with each other via the short side wall 52b.
The lower portion of one end of the long side wall 51a and the
lower portion of one end of the long side wall 51b are connected to
the vertical walls 58 on one and the other sides of the short side
wall 52a, respectively.
The other end of the long side wall 51a and the other end of the
long side wall 51b are connected to the side walls 64b of the
connection walls 64 on one and the other sides of the short side
wall 52b, respectively. Accordingly, a space 66b is formed below
the connection walls 64 and the long side walls 51a and 51b. The
cam followers 27 are rotatably fixed to the long side walls 51a and
51b in a state where the cam followers 27 are floating in the air
above the space 66b. The cam followers 27 are disposed inside the
frame of the roller side frame 19.
The main frame 12 and the belt side frame 18 are connected to each
other via the four regulating units 72a through 72d (flat
springs).
Each of the regulating units 72a through 72d is composed of a
narrow and long thin plate component which has both rigidity and
elasticity. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the holes 74 and 75 are
formed in the vicinity of one and the other ends of each of the
regulating units 72a through 72d.
The main frame 12 and the roller side frame 19 are connected with
each other via the four regulating units 73a through 73d (flat
springs). The regulating units 73a through 73d are components
having configurations identical to the configurations of the
regulating units 72a through 72d. The holes 74 and 75 are formed in
the vicinity of one and the other ends, respectively, of each of
the regulating units 73a through 73d.
The short side wall 52a of the roller side frame 19 is connected to
the main frame 12 via the regulating units 73c and 73d. More
specifically, the fixing hole 76a of the short side wall 52a and
the hole 74 of the regulating unit 73c are aligned, and fixed to
each other by a bolt and a nut. Moreover, the cylindrical fixing
portion 34c of the main frame 12 and the hole 75 of the regulating
unit 73c are aligned, and fixed to each other by a bolt and a nut
as illustrated in FIG. 26. The regulating unit 73c is fixed to the
fixing hole 76a of the short side wall 52a, and the cylindrical
fixing portion 34c of the main frame 12. Similarly, the regulating
unit 73d is fixed to the fixing hole 76b of the short side wall
52a, and the cylindrical fixing portion 34d of the main frame
12.
The short side wall 52b of the roller side frame 19 is connected to
the main frame 12 via the regulating units 73a and 73b illustrated
in FIG. 21. More specifically, the regulating units 73a and 73b are
fixed to the fixing holes 62a and 62b of the short side wall 52b,
and the cylindrical fixing units 34a and 34b (FIG. 4) of the main
frame 12, respectively.
The transfer device 1 in a state of assembly of the respective
components described above has a planar shape as illustrated in
FIG. 22A, and a front shape as illustrated in FIG. 22B.
The positional relationship between the regulating units 72 and 73
is illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B and FIGS. 24A and 24B. As
illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 24A, the eight regulating units 72 and
73 are disposed away from each other in the plan view. Accordingly,
the main conveyer unit 3 and the sub conveyer unit 2 can be
smoothly lifted and lowered without collision between the
regulating units 72 and 73 in a bended state of the regulating
units 72 and 73.
On the other hand, the eight regulating units 72 and 73 reside in
the same area in the height direction as illustrated in FIGS. 23B
and 24B. Moreover, each height of the eight regulating units 72 and
73 is small. Accordingly, the overall height of the transfer device
1 decreases.
Operation of the transfer device 1 is hereinafter described.
In setting the conveying direction of the conveyed object 25
illustrated in FIG. 1, the transfer device 1 is operated in the
following manner.
For conveying the conveyed object 25 from the upstream side main
conveying line 22 to the downstream side main conveying line 23,
the main conveyer unit 3 of the transfer device 1 is lifted to
position the belts 82 and 88 on the conveying passage, while the
sub conveyer unit 2 is lowered to retract the conveying rollers 14
to an area below the conveying passage.
More specifically, the horizontal movement members 11 are moved
rightward by driving the geared motor 5 to position the cam
followers 36 of the main conveyer unit 3 on the first high portion
7a and the third high portion 7c, and position the cam followers 27
of the sub conveyer unit 2 on the first low portion 8a (cam recess
28a) and the third low portion 8c (cam recess 29a) as illustrated
in FIG. 7C. As a result, the main conveyer unit 3 moves to a lifted
position, while the sub conveyer unit 2 moves to a lowered
position. The belts 82 and 88 are positioned on the conveying
surface, and thus the conveyed object 25 is conveyed toward the
downstream side main conveying line 23 by the main conveyer unit 3
of the transfer device 1.
During this period, the respective regulating units 72 and 73 guide
the respective main conveyer unit 3 and the sub conveyer unit 2 in
the vertical direction as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
For conveying the conveyed object 25 from the upstream side main
conveying line 22 to the sub conveying line 24, the sub conveyer
unit 2 of the transfer device 1 is lifted to position the conveying
rollers 14 on the conveying passage, while the main conveyer unit 3
is lowered to retract the belts 82 and 88 to an area below the
conveying passage.
More specifically, the horizontal movement members 11 are moved
leftward by driving the geared motor 5 to position the cam
followers 36 of the main conveyer unit 3 on the second low portion
8b (cam recess 28a) and the fourth low portion 8d (cam recess 29b),
and position the cam followers 27 of the sub conveyer unit 2 on the
first high portion 7a and the third high portion 7c as illustrated
in FIG. 8C. As a result, the main conveyer unit 3 moves to a
lowered position, while the sub conveyer unit 2 moves to a lifted
position. The conveying rollers 14 are positioned on the conveying
surface, and thus the conveyed object 25 is conveyed toward the sub
conveying line 24 by the sub conveyer unit 2 of the transfer device
1.
During this period, the respective regulating units 72 and 73 guide
the respective main conveyer unit 3 and the sub conveyer unit 2 in
the vertical direction as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
According to the embodiment described herein, each of the
regulating units 72 and 73 is composed of a flat spring. The sub
conveyer unit 2 and the main conveyer unit 3 are guided to linearly
move upward and downward in a straight line by utilizing bending of
the elastic flat springs.
According to the present invention, however, a tiltable plate body
may be employed in place of each of the flat springs.
FIGS. 27A through 27D illustrate an example of a tiltable plate
body 111 employed as a regulating unit 110. The main body of the
regulating unit 110 corresponds to the plate body 111 which has
small elasticity and does not easily bend. On the other hand, both
ends of the regulating unit 110 are connected to the frame A (main
conveyer unit 3 or sub conveyer unit 2) and the plane B (main frame
12) via hinges 112 and 113. Accordingly, the regulating unit 110
comes into either a substantially horizontal posture as illustrated
in FIG. 27B, or a tilted posture as illustrated in FIG. 27C. There
is certain backlash between the hinges 112 and 113. This backlash
absorbs a change of the distance between the hinges 112 and 113 in
the longitudinal direction resulting from a change into the tilted
posture of the plate body 111.
According to this embodiment, the regulating unit 110 is a plate
body which is tiltable in the vertical direction with respect to
the flat surface, but is not easily twisted. Moreover, the flat
surface of each of the regulating units 110 extends substantially
in parallel with the virtual plane of the frame A, and the flat
surface constituted by the plane B. Accordingly, as observed for
each of the regulating units 110, the frame A can move in a
straight line in the vertical direction with respect to the plane B
in accordance with tilts of the regulating units 110. More
specifically, tilts of the respective regulating units 110 can move
the frame A vertically without deviation when the frame A is lifted
by the cams.
Each of the regulating units 110 according to this embodiment is
composed of a plate body and not required to bend. In this case,
for example, each of the regulating units 110 may have a U-shaped
cross section as illustrated in FIG. 27D. Accordingly, each of the
regulating units 110 is not required to have a flat shape.
A regulating unit 120 illustrated in FIGS. 28A through 28D also
includes a tiltable plate body 121. However, this example does not
include a hinge.
More specifically, a main body of the regulating unit 120
corresponds to a plate body 121 which has small elasticity and does
not easily bend. On the other hand, holes 126 and 127 are formed at
one and the other ends of the regulating unit 120. Connection
elements 123 and 125 composed of pins or screws are inserted into
the holes 126 and 127, and connected to the frame A (main conveyer
unit 3 or sub conveyer unit 2) and the plane B (main frame 12).
According to this embodiment, the holes 126 and 127 formed at one
and the other ends of the regulating unit 120 are larger than the
connection elements 123 and 125 constituted by pins or screws.
Moreover, the connection elements 123 and 125 only slightly fix
both the ends of the regulating unit 120.
Accordingly, the regulating unit 120 is allowed to come into a
substantially horizontal posture as illustrated in FIG. 28B, and a
tilted posture as illustrated in FIG. 28C.
The regulating unit 120 according to this embodiment is constituted
by a plate body and not required to bend. In this case, for
example, the regulating units 120 may have a U-shaped cross section
as illustrated in FIG. 28D. Accordingly, the regulating unit 120 is
not required to have a flat shape.
Disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments are the plate-shaped
regulating units 72, 73, 110, and 120. However, a linear component
may be employed to constitute a regulating unit 130.
FIGS. 29A through 29C illustrate the regulating unit 130
constituted by a linear material such as piano wire. The regulating
unit 130 employed in this embodiment is composed of a linear
material such as piano wire, and has elasticity in a bending
direction.
According to this embodiment, the frame A (main conveyer unit 3 or
sub conveyer unit 2) is connected to the plane B by a large number
of the regulating units 130. The frame A is allowed to move in a
straight line in the vertical direction with respect to the plane B
also in this embodiment. More specifically, tilts of the respective
regulating units 130 can move the frame A vertically without
deviation when the frame A is lifted by the cams.
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